Top Picks
INDEX
Hokkaido
The Demon Fireworks of Hell Valley (Noboribetsu Onsen)
Early June to late September
Lake Toya Long-Run Fireworks Festival (Toyako Onsen)
20 minutes daily from late April to late October
Akan Lake Ice Festival "ICE, Love, Akan Winter Flowers" (Akanko Onsen)
Early February to early March
YOSAKOI Soran Festival (Sapporo)
Early June
Jozankei Nature Luminarie (Jozankei Onsen)
Early June to late October
Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival "Sairinka" (Tokachigawa Onsen)
Late January to mid-February
Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival (Sounkyo Onsen)
Late January to early March
Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival ~Ice Museum~ (Marukoma Onsen)
Late January to late February
Tohoku
Gather in Morioka in 2026! Tohoku Kizuna Festival
The Tohoku Kizuna Festival brings together representative summer festivals from the six Tohoku prefectures: Aomori Nebuta, Akita Kanto Festival, Morioka Sansa Dance, Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, Sendai Tanabata Festival, and Fukushima Waraji Festival. This joint festival event showcases the charm of Tohoku and its recovery from the earthquake to the nation and the world. In 2025, it will be held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. In 2026, it has been decided that it will be held in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The festival dates are May 23rd (Sat) - 24th (Sun).
Aomori Nebuta Festival (Aomori City)
Typically from August 2nd to 7th
Kanto Festival (Akita City)
Typically from August 3rd to 6th
Sendai Tanabata Festival (Sendai City)
Typically held from August 6th to 8th
Morioka Sansa Dance Festival (Morioka City)
Typically from August 1st to 4th
Yamagata Hanagasa Festival (Yamagata City)
Typically held from August 5th to 7th
Fukushima Waraji Festival (Fukushima City)
Typically from August 1st to 3rd
Hirosaki Nebuta Festival (Hirosaki City)
Typically from August 1st to 7th
Kakunodate's Fire-Swinging Snow Festival (Semboku City)
Typically held on February 14th.
Lake Towada Winter Story (Tsuta Onsen)
Late January to late February
Kase-dori (Kaminoyama Onsen)
Typically held on February 11th.
Hanamaki Festival (Hanamaki City)
Typically held from the second Friday to Sunday of September
Matsushima Lantern Festival, Sea Bon Festival (Zuiganji Temple Grand Segaki Ceremony) (Matsushima)
Typically held on August 15th and 16th.
Iizaka Onsen Fighting Festival (Okuiizaka Anabara Onsen)
Three days centered around the first Saturday of October
Aizu Picture Candle Festival ~Snow Fireflies~ (Higashiyama Onsen)
Typically early to mid-February
Kanto
Minakami Yassa Festival (Minakami Onsen)
The last Saturday of September every year
@Gunma Tourist Photo Gallery
Ryuo Festival (Kinugawa・Kawaji Onsen)
Two days in late July
The glittering ice lanterns and snow hut festival (Yunishigawa Onsen)
Typically from late January to early March
Kusatsu Onsen Thanksgiving Festival (Kusatsu Onsen)
Typically held on August 1st and 2nd
@Gunma Tourist Photo Gallery
Ikaho Ikaho Onsen)
Typically from September 18th to 20th
@Gunma Tourist Photo Gallery
Koshinetsu
Fuji Shibazakura Festival (Fujikawaguchiko Onsen)
Mid-April to late May
Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival (Kamisuwa Onsen)
Typically held on August 15th.
Iwafune Grand Festival (Senami Onsen)
Typically held on October 18th and 19th.
Lake Kawaguchi Winter Fireworks (Fujikawaguchiko Onsen)
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from January 24th to February 22nd
Provided by Yamanashi Tourism Promotion Organization
Matsumoto Castle Taiko Festival (Matsumoto City)
July 25th and 26th
© Matsumoto Castle Management Division
Ueda Grand Fireworks Festival (Bessho Onsen)
Early August
Fuefukigawa Fireworks Festival (Isawa Onsen)
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from mid-July to late August
Yoshida Fire Festival (Fujisan Onsen)
Typically held on August 26th and 27th.
Niigata Festival (Niigata City)
The first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after August 3rd
@Niigata Tourism Convention Association
Ueda Sanada Festival (Bessho Onsen)
mid-October
Peach Blossom Hirugami Onsen)
Typically on a Sunday in late March
